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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#277: Something Wicked This Way Comes

Don’t forget to use the hashtag #ReedsyWicked to share your stories (and potentially get featured on our social accounts)!

If you’re a musical lover like me, you’ve probably marked your calendar for the release date of the upcoming Wicked film adaptation. With gorgeous costumes, a superstar cast, and new renditions of beloved songs like “Defying Gravity,” the movie is sure to be a treat for Wicked fans around the world.

I first saw the Wicked musical in my late teens, and although more than a decade has passed since then, I’ll never forget how much it moved me. In addition to its breathtaking special effects and impressive performances, the musical also has heart. It shows the origin story of a notorious fictional character, the Wicked Witch of the West, and explores relatable, resonant themes — from identity and self-acceptance to the notion of “good” versus “evil.”

This week, let’s conjure up some stories inspired by Wicked. Set your story in a fairy tale land, write about a misunderstood, overlooked character, or do something completely unexpected with the prompts… it’s up to you!

This week's prompts

Write a story about an outsider or social outcast who will do anything to fit in.

Angst – 40 stories

Start or end your story with two friends who become enemies/rivals, or vice versa.

Dramatic – 22 stories

Write from the POV of a fairy tale character sharing their side of the story.

Short Story – 110 stories

Center your story around a character who longs for something they’ve lost.

Dramatic – 86 stories

Write a story with the word “wicked” in the title.

Short Story – 65 stories

Stories

“Revenge is Sweet” by Bruce Ma

Submitted to Contest #277

Revenge is Sweet Mud splattered; debris occupied the battlefield; dust charged into the trenches; screams echoed all around. The sirens wailed its last cries as automatic machine-gun fire tore through the defences as if it were paper. People cowered, and deserted. However, the bullets sealed their fates. One by one they slowed down, and an invisible hand dragged them down beneath the ground and disappeared - along with the life inside. Death stared at me; in me; through me, and I felt all the happiness, joy and laughter accumulated in this ...

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“i killed the flower and i killed the fairy” by Grace R

Submitted to Contest #277

Sometimes a memory will hit me and I will think, ah yes. This is one of the memories that make up the snow globe of who I am. Shake me hard enough, and the memories will fall from me like snowflakes. It only happens occasionally, and whenever it does, I need to sit and think for a moment, undisturbed. I wouldn’t even be able to bear the sound of my own voice. You see, I hadn’t meant to grow up. It had just happened, like sunlight creeping through the blinds before you’re ready to wake up. I lost my nastiness. I was such an angry ...

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“Don't Blame Me” by Rosa Christian

Submitted to Contest #277

I am Death. I am everywhere and nowhere. I will come 'as a thief in the night', in full daylight, expected or unexpectedly, in agony, peacefully, singly or by the thousands. Of one thing you can be sure. I will come. Yes. I will come for you.However, you have no need to fear me. I am not the executioner. I am merely the tool. So, don’t blame me. Others, much more powerful than I, decide the where, when and how, but the ultimate decision belongs to The Destroyer, who has his own reasons and does not share those with the likes of me.My job is ...

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“THE PURRIS DOCTRINE ” by Laya Alix

Submitted to Contest #277

Nayara had waited an eternity for this moment and now it was finally time for her to embark on her journey into the Thraine, like so many before her. On many occasions, she had watched on as members of the Lunari tribe made their way into the vast expanse of dense forest where adventure awaited them as they transported a most sacred blue flame bestowed upon them by Solara, the great light spirit. It was the moment every Lunari longed for, a rite of passage. The beginning of this journey was initiated by the dropping of the shadow, a sign tha...

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“Blank Slate- Recovering Lost Love” by Sara Rasa

Submitted to Contest #277

What they don't tell you about becoming a witch, is the cost of using magic. When a witch or wizard casts a spell or soars on a broomstick, this requires a withdrawal from their S.S. (Sorcerer’s Sum) account. Much like the way mortals fill up the gas tank of a car, witches must find a way to pay, or they end up walking. Fiscal responsibility is not high on the list for the Witches Council; the face of a political leader printed on a crinkled piece of paper in one’s pocket holds little importance. The council sees no value in it, and so ...

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“A Dish Best Served Sweet” by LifeCycles Creative Media

Submitted to Contest #277

This story contains themes of betrayal, mental health struggles, physical health challenges (including dental trauma and eating difficulties), revenge fantasies, implied violence, and loss of relationships and trust. Reader discretion is advised.The Weight of TimeNadine sat in her dimly lit apartment, her pen hovering over a worn journal. The room smelled faintly of dust and neglect, the faint hum of the fridge her only company. A single candle burned on a chipped saucer before her, its fragile flame dancing as though it, too, might abandon ...

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“Wicked Beginnings” by Marie Angel

Submitted to Contest #277

“ … Two drops of Troll Blood, and a pinch of unicorn’s hair ….” Sam used her best witch voice, as she read her daughter a bedtime story. Wisps of straw-blond hair tickled her chin, as her daughter cuddled under her arm. Arms wrapped around her bony knees folded up and bare feet poking out from underneath her flannel nightgown, she wriggled in excitement. They cuddled on the sofa, with the wind howling loudly, rattling the old windows. Story-time would hopefully settle Anna down as the excitement of her seventh birthday and Trick-or-Treating ...

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“One Crazy, Wicked, Violent Night” by Sarah Adewolu

Submitted to Contest #277

Maegann wanted nothing more than to curl up on the couch, watch some Netflix while snacking on popcorn, and let loose for the evening after a long day. She was a paralegal, but sometimes law work could be a little exhausting, studying one case after another. But for her, it was worth it; she had a lifelong passion for law and order. Law and Order… That sounded like a good show to watch. Except Netflix didn’t have it available, though it had similar shows, such as Suits for one. Why not? Nothing could beat Suits after all. She was practicall...

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“Wick in the Rot” by Lynn Cunningham

Submitted to Contest #277

Wick in the Rot The burn on my wrist isn’t bleeding anymore, but it still secretes a watery, golden fluid, the color of honeysuckle nectar. The color of sunlight on a winter morning. The color of codeine cough syrup before the most exquisite sleep. No stench. That’s a good sign. I redress the wound, carefully keeping the bandage beneath my gray sweater cuff. I don’t want questions or pity. There’s no story to tell, anyway. I glance at the clock on the nightstand. I have 20 minutes before bus N8 arrives. Just enough time for a coffee ...

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“WICKED THOUGHTS” by Armen Pandola

Submitted to Contest #277

WICKED THOUGHTS BY ARMEN PANDOLA It’s been over seventeen years since all of this happened. That’s longer than I can remember in any detail. I mean, I remember ....but I can't say that I’m sure. Anyway, I know that tomorrow they’re going to execute me. I killed my wife and her chiropractor. They were having an affair. At least, I think that they were. Hey, I hope they were because it would be just too sad if I killed them and they weren't. They make a big thing of the last night – that meal and all that – but r...

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“Rest For The Wicked” by Kenneth Penn

Submitted to Contest #277

Authors Note: This story contains references to racism/xenophobia and physical violence How long have I been sitting here? Rayan wonders, rubbing a sweaty palm against the leg of his Levi’s. It must be over an hour, and still no sign of the detectives who'd led him in here. The cold, steel-backed chair he's sitting in has become almost painful. It takes a conscious effort to stop himself from squirming. Interview room four is nothing like the television crime shows Mamá watches. It's tiny, barely larger than a walk-in closet, and there ...

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“Wicked Bottled Demon(a poetic tale)” by Lou Jayne

Submitted to Contest #277

Wicked bottled demon (a poetic tale) There is a wicked demon, his name is alcohol. He comes in many forms, has a variety of names. A fermented spirit, fruit, veg, malt or grain. He hides inside a barrel, can, glass or bottle. He likes to take his toll.You are his voodoo doll.He wants to claim and torture.He loves to hear you ask “what’s your poison?”Spirit, larger, beer, wine, dark or light rum?When you think you’re being confident, sociable or cool.He’s lied to you and laughs out loud,Now you’re the fool, in the room or...

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“Wicked Reflection” by X Kaiser

Submitted to Contest #277

Zyla Howard opened the door to her new apartment. The building used to be Half Moon Motel, and all the rooms have a kitchenette, a bedroom area, a bathroom, and storage space. The inside was modern and fully furnished. Zyla sat down her bag on the bed and tossed her key onto the small dish beside the door. Three rooms other than hers were on this floor. It was late, and her neighbors were probably already asleep, so she would have to get to know them tomorrow. She placed her bag on the floor next to the bed. She would rest for now since tomo...

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“Wicked Encounter” by Jack Freehoff

Submitted to Contest #277

Wicked Encounter Jon looked out at the flat, desolate Texas panhandle’s landscape and sighed. He’d been in desperate need of fuel, food, and water for a week. Ever the optimist, he hoped Amarillo might offer some relief, but the city was decimated. He had lost track of how long ago the plague, or pandemic, or whatever the heck it was swept across the world. He only knew years had passed since he’d seen anyone. Jon flicked on his multi-fueled Jeep Rubicon’s monitor and accessed a map. When he expanded it, the town of Canyon came ...

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“Wicked Woman” by Kris Morrison

Submitted to Contest #277

It’s almost funny how much I want to bite this man. Normally I wouldn’t say let alone think such things. It’s so vulgar. So unladylike. I was taught to keep my hands to myself. Luckily, I wasn’t told jack about my teeth, so I guess that’s fair game.The ticking of the clock that’s too close to the ceiling grates on my nerves. It’s a blank clock with a ticker that moves too slow. The walls are a dingy yellow that reminds me of an underfunded parish basement. The ceiling cracks spread like spiderwebs—this place could collapse on top of us ...

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$250

Prize money

323

Contest entries

120

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Nov 22, 2024 EST

Won by Troy Phillips 🏆

Title: The Three Little Pigs Incident: A Building Inspector’s Report

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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